Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/1530930
F O R T H R E E P O W E R F U L D A Y S in October, the richest ZIP code in the United States was ground zero in the fight for the public schools all students deserve, as the 92 members of Las Lomitas Education Association (LLEA) went on strike for the future of Menlo Park and Atherton students and won. "is victory will bring much-deserved stability to our school communities," said LLEA Co-President Jennifer Montalvo. "We made the powerful decision to go on strike and we won the contract we need to stay in the community we love serving." After three days on picket lines, LLEA won an agreement that will help keep educators in Las Lomitas Elementary School District, securing a 16% pay increase and improvements to health benefits while building a powerful movement in an unlikely place, with an average home value of $7.5 million in Ath erton . With high turn- over and educators wondering how they could afford to continue to work at Las Lomitas, LLEA members went on strike to put an end to the district's retention crisis and forge a better future for them- selves and their students. "For far too long, educators have been shouldering the burden of insufficient salary increases to keep up with the cost of living and paying more each year out of pocket for employee health benefits," said LLEA Co-President Daniella Lefer. LLEA members had worked without a contract since July 2023. Soaring housing and health care costs were forcing edu- cators to take second jobs to survive and consider teaching elsewhere. LLEA members refused to sit back, organizing and calling attention to the fact their salaries were the lowest com- pared to nearby school districts. "We are here to demand fairness, respect and a contract that recognizes the value we bring to our schools and communities," said LLEA member Caryn Carlson. "We're asking for a contract that prioritizes edu- cators, because when teachers are supported, our students thrive." LLEA members were joined by union educa- tors from other CTA locals and LLEA's classified colleagues from CSEA Las Lomitas Elementary Chapter 515 — who went on a sympathy strike during LLE A's struggle, refusing to cross the picket line and showing that solidarity is a verb. "The support from our classified colleagues, p arent s, stud ent s, fami li e s and c ommunity members kept us moving forward to victory," said Montalvo. "Together, we remained united and steadfast in winning for our students today and future generations." Las Lomitas parents and students joined the picket lines, offering hugs and support, and bringing food and refresh- ments. LLEA members canvassed neighborhoods after the second day of the strike, reaching out to the school community to explain the situation and ask for their support in reaching a When We Strike, We Win Las Lomitas Education Association builds historic movement in America's richest ZIP code By Julian Peeples & Gabriella Landeros Las Lomitas educators went on strike for three days in October, winning a contract that will help retain quality educators. 36 cta.org Advocacy